University of Illinois athletic director Ron Guenther and wrestling coach Mark Johnson have agreed to a three-year extension of Johnson's contract, it was announced Thursday.

The extension, through the 1999-2000 season, must be approved by the UI's Board of Trustees, which is considered a formality.

Johnson has a 54-18-1 dual meet record at Illinois, including a 14-1 record this season. He was named the 1995 NCAA Division I coach of the year. He coached eight Illinois qualifiers into the NCAA Wrestling Championships.

"We're extremely pleased that Mark Johnson wants to be a part of what we are building at the University of Illinois," Guenther said. "He has done a tremendous job building this program, yet he has more to accomplish and wants to finish the job to put Illinois on top."

Trio contending.

Three of Illinois' eight wrestling entries in the NCAA Championships remain in contention for titles.

Lindsey Durlacher, who received a bye in the first round at 118 pounds, defeated Lee Pritts of Eastern Michigan to move into the quarterfinals. Eric Siebert at 150 and Ernest Benion at 158 also moved on, both posting two victories Thursday.

Jevon Herman, Illinois' only other first-round winner, lost in the second round and will be in the 177-pound wrestlebacks today.

UI tennis team makes poll vault

The Illinois men's tennis team has attained its highest national ranking yet, moving up to 11th in the latest rating.

Led by No. 38 singles player Gavin Sontag and the No. 25 doubles team of Jerry Turek-Brady Blain, the Illini are 4-4 against top-40 teams.

Illinois next hosts Michigan at 1 p.m. Saturday and Michigan State at 1 p.m. Sunday.